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Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Loaded Baked Potato Chowder

This is the recipe that was demonstrated at the recent Pampered Chef Party I hosted in January. It is super easy to make and doesn't take more than 30 minutes start-to-finish since you make it using the microwave. I mention a few Pampered Chef tools in the directions but you don't need them to make this recipe. This filling, quick chowder is perfect on a cold night to warm your family up in a hurry!

1 1/2 tsp salt (I added this amount but think it needs a little more next time I make it)

1/2 tsp pepper

Optional toppings: chopped bacon, sour cream

Directions

Slice potatoes in half lengthwise. Place in a microwave safe dish that has a lid (you can use the Deep Covered Baker or Rock and Crok here if you have them). Pour 1/2 cup milk over potatoes. Microwave on HIGH for 11 minutes and test potatoes for doneness by sticking them with a fork! If they need more time, rotate potatoes from top to bottom, or outside of dish to inside and cook on HIGH another 8-11 minutes. Coarsely mash potatoes (with the Mix'N chop if you have it).

Remove from microwave. Ladle chowder into bowls and top with green onion, chopped bacon and shredded cheese.

Note: I cooked one pound of bacon in the oven (375 for 40 minutes for crispy bacon) two days before I made this recipe and then used the bacon in three different meals - twice for breakfast and then this dinner meal. Now that I have two children and have found that the dinner hour can be uber stressful so I try to cook once and then use that material several times if possible. Case in point - the bacon for this recipe. I also do this often with ground beef.